“Come in!” I call to her, smiling as she opens the door and moves at her usual frantic pace into the room.
“I brought you a treat this morning.”
“Cake?” I ask with a little too much enthusiasm, my mouth already salivating just thinking about the gooey goodness.
“No.” She giggles. “Cake is not for breakfast, Serafina. I brought fresh berries. Picked from the gardens this morning.” She beams, and my shoulders slump at her words. Not because berries don’t sound absolutely delicious, but because she mentioned the gardens, and I so desperately want to see them.
I miss my plants even more than I miss the sun, and I just want to beoutside. The mere mention of the outdoors instantly puts me in a sour mood.
“What’s wrong?” Ishla asks, concern etched in her pretty features.
Collapsing on the bed, I stretch my arms above my head and release a dramatic sigh.
Ishla giggles again.
“It’s just hard being trapped in this room every day. I would do anything for just a minute of seeing the sky,” I tell her, and she throws me a sympathetic look.
“Well, maybe this will put you in a better mood.” She pulls a piece of paper from the pocket of her frilly blue apron and tosses it on the bed beside me.
“What is it?” I ask, immediately reaching for it.
“A letter. I passed by the prince earlier this morning. He asked me to get it to you.”
My poor mood instantly vanishes.
This letter is from Char.
“Thank you, Ishla,” I tell her, and she smiles.
“I’ll give you some privacy, but I’ll be back later with something sweet.” And then, she’s gone.
I open the letter, desperate to read the words scribbled on the parchment.
I hold in a chuckle. You’d think after all the lessons his father made him endure, Char would have better penmanship. But I can still read it, and that’s all that matters.
Fi,
Thank the gods you’re all right.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that night. I’ve been so worried about you I can barely eat or sleep.
To read your words and know you mean them finally puts me at ease.
I’m so sorry for what happened. I’m so sorry for everything. If I could go back and change things…please know that I would.
Your forgiveness means everything,iseverything, and I can’t wait until we’re together again, until I cankissyou again.
I will protect you. I will keep you safe. I will never again not be there when you need me.
I put the letter down, sucking in a sharp breath. Those words should make my insides flip and my thoughts wander only to him.
But they don’t.
Because I still haven’t allowed myself to fully analyze my feelings about that kiss. To really think about what it might mean and how it might change things.
Are we meant to be together?
Do I want to be with Char in that way?
